Pukeiti

Family: Ericaceae (Heath)

Distribution: Japan

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Shrub - evergreen

Comments: Habit: A semi evergreen shrub to 3m. The young twigs are covered with dense brown hairs.(strigose)
Foliage: Semi evergreen leaves which have two distinct types. Spring leaves are lanceolate, elliptic or ovate, 2-5cm long by 1-2.5cm wide and are mostly deciduous. Summer leaves are smaller and mostly persistent through the winter. In both types the upper surface is glossy green and the underside is paler. Both surfaces have brown hairs which are also visible on the margins.
Flowers: Funnel shaped flowers appear in groups of 2-4. These are salmon-red or brick-red in colour.